Department of Physiology and Cell Biology

Qi Wan, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Qi Wan

University of Nevada, Reno

The excitatory glutamate receptors and the inhibitory GABA-A receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that play essential roles in the central nervous system. My research team is interested in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the modulations of glutamate and GABA-A receptors by intracellular signals such as kinases and phosphatases. We aim at determining: 1) how these mechanisms mediate the regulation of synaptic plasticity under physiological conditions; 2) why dysfunctional regulations of these receptors contribute to neuronal death and/or neurodegeneration in pathological conditions, and thus providing molecular basis for the development of neuroprotective and neuroregenerative strategies for the treatment of patients suffering from stroke, traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. To realize these goals, we have been employing multiple approaches (i.e. electrophysiology, molecular biology and protein biochemistry) and various preparations (i.e. cell lines, primary neuronal cultures, brain slice and in vivo brain tissues) to test our hypotheses in experimental conditions.

Search For Dr. Wan's Publications In PubMed

Selected Publications

1. Hu R, Duan B, Wang D, Yu Y, Li W, Luo H, Lu P, Lin J, Zhu G, Wan Q and Feng H: Role of acid-sensing ion channel 1a in the secondary damage of traumatic spinal cord injury. Annals of Surgery 2011;254:1–10.

2. Li F, Cheng Y, Lu J, Hu R, Wan Q, Feng H. Photodynamic therapy boosts anti-glioma immunity in mice: a dependence on the activities of T cells and complement C3. J Cell Biochem. 2011; June 15.

3. Chang N, Li L, Hu R, Shan Y, Liu B, Li L, Wang H, Feng H, Wang D, Cheung CC, Liao M and Wan Q: Differential regulation of NMDA receptor function by DJ-1 and PINK1. Aging Cell . 2010; 9:837–850

4. Cheung CC, Yang C, Berger T, Zaugg K, Reilly P, Elia AJ, Wakeham A, You-Ten A, Chang N, Li LJ, Wan Q, and Mak TW: Identification of BERP (brain-expressed Ring finger protein) as a p53 target gene that modulates seizure susceptibility through interacting with GABA-A receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010; 107(26):11883-8.

5. Hu R, Zhou J, Luo C, Lin J, Wang X, Li X, Bian X, Li Y, Wan Q, Yu Y and Feng H: Glial scar and neuroregeneration: histological, functional and MR imaging analysis in chronic spinal cord injury. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. 2010 Aug;13(2):169-80.

6. Liu B, Li L, Zhang Q, Chang N, Wang D, Shan Y, Li L, Wang H, Feng H, Zhang L, Brann DW and Wan Q: Preservation of GABAA receptor function by PTEN inhibition protects against neuronal death in ischemic stroke. Stroke 2010; 41(5):1018-26.

7. Shan Y, Liu B, Li L, Chang N, Li L, Wang H, Wang D, Feng H, Sugita S, and Wan Q: Regulation of PINK1 by NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in ischemic neuronal injury. Journal of Neurochemistry 2009; 111(5): 1149-1160.

8. Wais M, Wu C, Zahid T Sheppy E, Gillis J, del Campo M and Wan Q and Zhang L: Repeated Hypoxic Episodes Induce Seizures and Alter Hippocampal Network Activities in Mice. Neuroscience 2009; 30;161(2):599-613.

9. Wu CP, Wais M, Zahid T, Wan Q and Zhang L: An improved screw-free method for electrode implantation and intra-cranial electroencephalographic recordings in mice. Behavior Research Methods 2009; 41(3):736-41.

10. Li L, El-Hayek YH, Liu BS, Chen Y, Gomez E, Wu XH, Ning K, Li LJ, Chang C, Zhang L, Wang ZG, Hu X, Wan Q: Direct-current Electrical Field Guides Neural Stem/progenitor Cell Migration. Stem Cells 2008; 26(7): 1610-1836.

11. Li LJ and Wan Q: rSac3, a new member of Sac domain phosphoinositide phosphatases family. Cell Research 2007; 17:1-3.

12. Chang N, El-Hayek YH, Gomez E and Wan Q: Phosphatase PTEN in neuronal injury and brain disorders. Trends in Neurosciences 2007; 30(11): 581-586.

13. Li G, Han L, Chou TC, Fujita Y, Arunachalam L, Chiew SW, Wan Q, Wang L and Sugita S: RalA and RalB function as the critical GTP sensors for GTP-dependent exocytosis. Journal of Neuroscience 2007; 27(1):190-202.

14. Liu B, Liao M, Mielke JG, Li L, Chen Y, Ning K, El-Hayek YH, Zukin RS, Fehlings MG, Wan Q: Ischemic insults direct GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors to synaptic sites. Journal of Neuroscience, 2006; 26(20):5309-19.

15. Ji SP, Zhang Y, Cleemput JV, Jiang W, Liao M, Li L, Wan Q, Backstrom JR & Zhang X: Disruption of protein-protein coupling between PTEN and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor suppresses marijuana rewarding effects. Nature Medicine 2006; 12(3):324-9.

16. Zou S, Li L, Pei L, Vukusic B, Van Tol HHM, Lee FJS, Wan Q and Liu F: Protein-protein coupling/uncoupling enables dopamine D2 receptor regulation of AMPA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. Journal of Neuroscience. 2005; 25(17):4385-95.

17. Ning K, Li L, Liao M, Liu B, Mielke JG, Chen Y, Duan Y, El-Hayek YH, Wan Q: Circadian regulation of GABA(A) receptor function by CKIepsilon-CKIdelta in the rat suprachiasmatic nuclei. Nature Neuroscience. 2004; 7(5):489-490.

18. Ning K, Pei L, Liao M, Liu B, Zhang Y, Jiang W, Mielke JG, Li L, Chen Y, El-Hayek YH, Fehlings MG, Zhang X, Liu F, Eubanks J, Wan Q: Dual neuroprotective signaling mediated by downregulating two distinct phosphatase activities of PTEN. Journal of Neuroscience. 2004; 24(16):4052-60.

19. Liu F, Wan Q, Pristupa ZB, Yu XM, Wang YT, Niznik HB: Direct protein-protein coupling enables cross-talk between dopamine D5 and ?-aminobutyric acid A receptors. Nature. 2000; 403:274-280.

20. Wan Q, Man HY, Liu F, Braunton J, Niznik HB, Pang SF, Brown GM, Wang YT: Differential modulation of GABAA receptor function by MEL1a and MEL1b receptors. Nature Neuroscience. 1999; 2(5): 401-403.

21. Wan Q, Xiong ZG, Man HY, Ackerley CA, Braunton J, Lu WY, Becker LE, MacDonald JF, Wang YT: Recruitment of functional GABAA receptors to postsynaptic domains by insulin. Nature. 1997; 388:686-690.

22. Wan Q, Man HY, Braunton J, Wang W, Salter MW, Becker L, Wang YT: Modulation of GABAA receptor function by tyrosine phosphorylation of ß subunits. Journal of Neuroscience. 1997; 17:5062-5069. .